Darlene Hooley: “The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program is vital to help promote the well-being of low-income…”

“The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program is vital to help promote the well-being of low-income and uninsured women throughout the country. The 5.8 million screening examinations provided under the program have saved lives. More than 22,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and over 1,500 with cervical cancer through the program's screening. Early detection of breast and cervical cancer can mean the difference between life or death. For breast cancer, the 5-year survival rate is 95 percent when caught early. Given what we know about the importance of early detection, I believe it is critical to provide this screening assistance to low-income or uninsured women. I am also pleased that this reauthorization gives more flexibility to rural communities as they try to use these funds. The situation is so different in rural communities. Their outreach has to be different, and the fact that this bill acknowledges that, I am very pleased about it. This is an important, life-saving measure.”